Device for performing a high throughput assay

Abstract

A device and method is provided for performing a high throughput assay. The device includes a plate structure having a plate and a plurality of microfluidic structures positioned thereon. Each microfluidic structure defines a channel having an input and an output. At least one of the input and the output of the channel of each of the plurality of mircofluidic structures includes a first plurality of ports. In operation, the channels are filled with fluid and pressure gradients are generated between the fluids at the inputs and the fluids at the outputs of the channels. As a result, fluid flows through the channels toward the outputs.

1. A device for performing an assay, comprising:
 a plate structure having a channel therein, the channel having an input end, an output end, and a diameter; 
 an input plate at the input end of the channel, the input plate having a diameter generally equally to the diameter of the channel at the input end thereof, an inner surface communicating with the channel and an outer surface; and 
 a plurality of ports extending between the inner and outer surfaces of the input plate and communicating with the channel, each port having a diameter less than the diameter of the channel at the input end and being axially aligned with the input end of channel. 
 
     
     
       2. The device of  claim 1  wherein the plate structure includes a plate having an upper surface and wherein the channel is provided in a first microfluidic structure positioned on the upper surface of the plate. 
     
     
       3. The device of  claim 2  wherein the first microfluidic structure includes an upper surface, the upper surface being hydrophobic. 
     
     
       4. The device of  claim 2  wherein the plate structure includes a second microfludic structure positioned on the upper surface of the plate. 
     
     
       5. The device of  claim 4  wherein the second microfluidic structure defines:
 a channel having an input end and an output end; 
 an input at the input end of the channel, the input of the second microfluidic structure having an inner surface communicating with the channel, an outer surface, and a plurality of ports extending between the inner and outer surfaces of the second microfluidic structure. 
 
     
     
       6. The device of  claim 5  wherein the second microfluidic structure further includes an output at the output end of the channel of second microfluidic structure, the output of the second microfluidic structure having a plurality of output ports therethrough. 
     
     
       7. The device of  claim 1  further comprising an output at the output end of the channel, the output including a plurality of output ports therethrough. 
     
     
       8. The device of  claim 1  further comprising a liquid dispensing instrument extending along an axis and wherein the input of the channel is axially aligned with the pipette. 
     
     
       9. A device for performing an assay, comprising:
 a plate; and 
 a plurality of microfluidic structures positioned on the plate, each microfluidic structure defining:
 a channel having an input end, an output end and a diameter; 
 an input plate at the input end of the channel, the input plate having a diameter generally equally to the diameter of the channel at the input end thereof, an inner surface communicating with the channel and an outer surface; and 
 an output plate at the output end of the channel, the output plate having a diameter generally equally to the diameter of the channel at the output end 
 
 thereof, an inner surface communicating with the channel and an outer surface; 
 
       wherein at least one of the of the input plates and the of the output plates of the channels of the plurality of mircofluidic structures includes a first plurality of ports therethrough. 
     
     
       10. The device of  claim 9  wherein the each of the plurality of microfluidic structures includes an upper surface, each upper surface being hydrophobic. 
     
     
       11. The device of  claim 9  wherein the plurality of microfluidic structures are removable from plate. 
     
     
       12. The device of  claim 9  wherein the other of the inputs and the outputs of the channels of the plurality of microfluidic structures include a second plurality of ports therethough. 
     
     
       13. The device of  claim 9  further comprising a liquid dispensing instrument for depositing drops along a plurality of generally parallel axis, each axis extending through a corresponding input of the channels of the plurality of microfluidic structures.